A discussion on the theme of 'Preserving the Past for a Sustainable Future' was held at a heritage site that connects the past with the present and captures the tradition of Lahore’s idyllic gardens.
The event was organized by the Walled City of Lahore Authority (WCLA). Stakeholders from academia, NGOs, and government institutions gathered at the Shalimar Gardens for a discussion on the importance of preserving cultural heritage through sustainable means.
The panel included WCLA Director General Najamus Saqib; THAAP CEO Sajida Vandal; architect and former Institute for Art and Culture Pro-Vice Chancellor Pervaiz Vandal; MNA Shaista Pervaiz Malik; Aga Khan Cultural Service - Pakistan CEO Tausif Khawaja; University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore Professor Emeritus Neelum Naz; and architect and BNU professor Umer Farooq.
Conversations focused on the need to promote and preserve heritage sites to protect the country’s formidable culture and history, as well as new approaches to doing so.
Dr Neelum Naz suggested ways to increase public awareness to mainstream heritage conservation. She recommended introducing cultural heritage at the primary school level so that its importance becomes embedded in people’s consciousness. For sensitization at the grassroots level, she said that images of historical sites should be printed on stamps and matchboxes.
Sajida Vandal reiterated this idea: “We need to change the mindset of people, and present heritage in a language that everyone understands.”
BNU’s Head of Architecture Department Omar Farooq shared his experience of working extensively with young people, noting that they have numerous recreational options. He emphasized that appropriate techniques should be developed to promote awareness of cultural heritage among young people.
In this context, Najumus Saqib said that social media is already playing a vital role in bringing Pakistan’s heritage spaces into the limelight and promoting a positive image of the country internationally.
Speaking on the occasion, MNA Shaista Malik referred to traditional craft as a representation of our culture and identity. “It has a pertinent socio-economic aspect to it and is linked to tourism, and it must be integrated into policy,” she added.
AKCS-P's Tausif Khawaja echoed the words of Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, stating that historic monuments hold value only in connection with the communities they benefit. Therefore, the focus of heritage conservation must be community development and poverty alleviation.
Appreciating the Walled City of Lahore Authority’s conservation efforts in Lahore, he made special mention of the Wazir Khan Mosque project—highlighting its engagement with local communities, particularly youth, and described it as ‘transformative’.
“Around 6 million people visit the Lahore Fort every year,” he said. “We recently surveyed approximately 700 to 800 visitors over a three-month period to understand their reasons for visiting the site, and over 60% reported that their fascination with the Fort’s history motivated repeat visits.”
